Revelations

Taiga sighed when she returned to the back changing room, dropping the sign she had next to her after sitting down on a chair.

She was on break, but didn't even feel like eating or anything right now.

There were so many emotions swirling around inside her. Especially after her encounter with that little girl.

Should she be angry, happy, tired... All of the above?

The latter felt more accurate, regardless.

Taiga put her head in her hands. The quiet was almost calming after a while. But if it weren't for the fact of knowing she had to go back out there again, it would have probably truly made her relaxed. Taiga clenched her fists that were now pressed up against her cheeks. 'I guess... It could be worse, but... It's still not ideal.' Suddenly however, her thoughts were interrupted when the door opened.

Taiga sniffled slightly and looked up to see who it was, once she felt more composed. It was one of her coworkers who was out front earlier, but at least they didn't laugh like most of the others. They thought she was fully in a ridiculous costume. But Taiga preferred them thinking that than knowing the truth. So she kept quiet. "Hello..."

The girl didn't say anything, but started to double-check that no one else was coming in the room yet as well. She pretended to be looking for something by Taiga after a bit, while letting a slip of paper drop into her lap when moving by. Taiga didn't move, and kept watching her. When the girl stopped "searching" for her pretend object, she left.

Taiga was confused, but tried to sneakily open the paper, since she assumed that this is supposed to be hidden. There was an apology for her weird behavior and that she'd explain everything to Taiga. But it also said to meet her outside and across the street in the parking lot after their shift is over.

Taiga raised an eyebrow. "Please don't throw this away in the building either." The note ended with that. Taiga knew not to read this out loud, but still had a lot of questions. Her break was almost over, so she put the note away in her apron's pocket for now, trying to psych herself up for going back outside to attract customers... Or whatever.

-----

Once Taiga left the building, she was relieved to be back in her own clothes and done with work for today. That headband is especially itchy on her scalp, and barely even shows through all of her hair... She didn't forget to take the note with her; putting it in her pants' pocket, and now she was headed towards the parking lot. Trying not to think of the worst-case scenario, she kept going until she spotted her coworker way at the back of the large area.

Once Taiga got to her, she was offered a coffee.

"Sorry for all that. I don't know if you even drink coffee, but... I figured it was better than nothing... And I'm sorry you have to go through that. Isolde sometimes makes me go through stupid shit too... Are you ok?"

Taiga was a bit taken aback at first, but was also relieved when she seemed to be genuine at this moment.

"Y-Yeah, for now... Thank you."

"It's ok. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to, but... You seem nice, so I just wanted to warn you. There are lots of hidden audio recorders in the bakery. Not like, for security, but to listen in on our private conversations. I know it's illegal, but I only know about these things in the first place because I was sneaking around her office and found proof of that.

Isolde was freaking us all out with how she found out certain things without us even telling her. It's messed up, and creepy... No one else has been brave enough, but I've been trying for most of the years I've worked here to catch her slipping up, but she's good at what she does. And I don't want to end up locked away for breaking and entering. I've almost gotten caught, and I can't afford to lose my job... But I don't want her to get away with this either. I doubt Isolde's stupid enough to put video cameras up, especially back in the changing rooms..."

Taiga slightly cringes. "But I'd rather not wait around to see if it does come true or not. Either way, she just seems interested in spying on, and using our weaknesses against us. Isolde knows most of us are desperate and can't quit anyway, or bribes, and/or threatens us as a form of incentive... I keep searching, but the recorders are hidden well.

The only way I can think of exposing her is leaking what's on her computer, or maybe also taking it on a USB drive first, but it's very risky...

I apologize for dumping this all on you, but I thought you deserve to know."

Taiga was at a loss for words... The one job she gets again after a while, and her boss turns out to be a corrupt scumbag.

And Taiga wanted to help make things better somehow, but didn't even know where to start. This girl obviously cared, but wasn't treated fairly like she should be.

"I appreciate you telling me... I sure can't afford a lawyer, and it would most likely be helpful to have one for this situation, but... No matter what, I'll help you try to figure something out. I agree that Isolde should be stopped."

"...Well, I have had an idea for a while, but as I said, it'd be a huge risk. No one else will help me, but... I think it would all be worth it to get Isolde punished for all she does.

Oh... Right, sorry. My name is Rory."

There was a long silence.

Taiga thought on it. After everything she's done, she certainly didn't want to end up arrested. But for some reason she trusted Rory.

And something inside Taiga was telling her that she really should at least try to do this and help everyone.

So, she agreed.

Rory was shocked slightly, but then was relieved.

Usually she kept to herself, but felt that Taiga could be trusted as well.

After properly introducing themselves, they brainstormed more about their plan.

"While we're at work... I know it's easier said than done... But we have to try and bear with it all as much as possible. And we should keep pretending like we don't know each other."

"Okay..."

"I think we should stick the idea of getting whatever we can from her computer... Together we can look up what we can do after we have what we need. So we don't get into any trouble."

It made sense to Taiga.

They chose to exchange numbers to keep in contact, and keep their phones locked with a password. Just in case.

Rory realized from being up close, and paying extra attention when slightly brushing against Taiga's arm while exchanging numbers, that she really wasn't in a costume. However, she didn't care. She just thought Taiga was even cooler than before. Especially since she didn't call her crazy, and took her seriously.

Rory thought it was low of Isolde to use Taiga for these things just because of how she looked. But why was she surprised about that anyway?

"Thank you." Taiga spoke softly.

"You can back out at any time, but... Just so you know, I truly appreciate you even listening to me babble. Really."

Taiga suddenly got super serious again.

"Of course! You should always be taken seriously for these things!

...It sucks when you don't get the help you need." Taiga looked down a bit, seeming sad after thinking about the past.

Rory could tell she was sad, but decided not to ask why, and gave her space.

"Thank you too."

-----

Taiga rode her bike around town for a while to try and take her mind off of things, but couldn't shake this feeling she kept having for a long time lately. Whenever she was by the woods, it felt suffocating, and was like a panic attack was coming.

Taiga couldn't explain it, but each time, she rushed back home. And it happened again today.

Shutting the door behind her, she made it back safely to the apartment.

Letting out slow breaths, Taiga went over and plopped down onto her bed.

Out of the corner of her eye, Taiga saw something flash across Aito's body... Again.

At first, Taiga just thought she was seeing things, but now it's become a pattern over the years. But now, it'd be hard not to notice... Ever since she put Aito more out on display, each time Taiga feels this way, it seems like the thread, and sometimes fabric on Aito changes.

Instead of the blue thread running through both eyes, they shine red for a second. And the gray patches on him turn white.

For a while, Taiga was sleeping better... But after discovering this, sometimes it would just make her wonder if Séthyan was playing tricks on them still. Then Taiga would really panic. If Séthyan was trying to toy with Taiga's emotions, then she must be nearby again. But usually Spark would come and try to reassure her.

...Wait...

Spark.

'Actually... Why does Aito look like Spark?'

Taiga thought, and grabbed Aito gently, looking him over.

She'd never noticed this before...

Taiga was going to think it was just a coincidence, but her intuition usually wasn't wrong.

But what would even be the reason why this is all happening...?

Taiga sighed again, putting Aito back and rubbing her eyes.

"I need to eat something and then go to bed."

After saying her hellos to Spark, she did just that.

-----

She heard a voice, but didn't know where it was coming from, and couldn't make anything out

There's such a bright light

It almost hurts to look at

Eventually I reached it

I'm floating now

I feel calm here

But what is this

It's all so ethereal

"We are in your dreams."

Oh. Wait... Who said that?

"My name is Avis.

I have been wanting to talk with you for such a long time... Mika."

You know my name?

I'm not floating anymore. It feels like I'm awake, but yet nothing is the same.

It looks like orbs are floating all around us.

...Us.

There's a cat beside me. That's not Spark.

...Wait... I've seen that cat before.

It was so long ago.

But you look shinier than before

It starts to walk towards the light until it becomes one with it.

I can't look directly at it, but I can see the outline of the cat sitting by what looks like...

I can't even explain, but this person looks like a Goddess, with a lapis lazuli and blue outline, along with what looked like a headdress made of scandium. That's all I can make out.

"Well... You would be right. I am the Goddess of Rarity." The voice chuckled out slightly.

I don't feel scared... Rather, like I belong here, but... I'm still confused

Her voice is so warm. It's almost too intense to take in, but still soothes me in a way

Have we met before?

"In a way... Long ago. But, I am so happy you have made it this far. I always put my belief in you. There is not much written about me in your world. I do not like to make myself known much... But you can find out more about my nurturers Ceres, and Hekate. I have learned a lot, especially from the both of them."

...

"But we are not here to speak of that right now... To answer your questions: I am your spirit guide. My animal helper and I here gave you some of our power before you were born. Since we share the same, it was much easier to invite you into my heart space. It caused you to have your current form. But in our eyes, you are nothing short of beautiful... I do apologize for scaring you before, but the doll is one of the ways I could give you some more hints."

...Hints?

"I know you have noticed certain happenings that you could not explain. It was mostly from us. I am glad that they did not frighten you... Unlike the doll.

At first, I had a hand in helping give your father the influence to make the doll."

She started to explain to me Her true intentions of only wanting to protect while watching over me, and that the Gods always knew I would do great things. But had to make sure that I could handle the internal power I would gain at all.

"I personally took the first step to help. As I said, I have the utmost belief in you. Once you accept it and are fully aware, you will prosper. It is alright that you did not realize right away... After all, how could you have? That is why I decided to try to drop as many hints with the Iwa through the Vodou doll, and guide you as much as I could throughout these years."

Vodou...?

"Many in your world believe it to be of evil, but it has long since been misunderstood... You will see examples of this if you look, but along with that, you will find the truth."

She started to explain to me what it's truly about, and the possibilities laid out, not just for me.

Without the Iwa as well, a lot of this wouldn't be possible either.

I suppose it is true that I'm never really alone.

I was in awe, but still had questions.

However, I did not want to interrupt Her.

I knew I would not forget this later anyway.

"And then when you did not have the doll, I had to try other tactics. But you were away from Séthyan for a long time... Which, I do understand why you ran. It pained me to see your suffering, as with all beings I witness, but if I interfere directly too soon... Until you could find more of your own strength and happiness, you would not have been truly ready for what is to come. Most reject me, and all I stand for. But your heart is opened up."

"You are not the only one, and you will not be the last. But, you are needed. Yet, we give everyone a choice for what they want to do... And I see that you do want to help others who need it. From now, and after you leave this mortal coil. I did not want to risk you having been too frightened of me years ago. Especially after what took place."

"I did not want to speak all of this to you at once and overwhelm you... But she is near you once again. Your feelings in that area was correct. But now that you have come so far, and found your sense of purpose, I could finally reach you this way. Your companion Spark was correct about Séthyan trying to corrupt and sway your heart away from your true desires. But despite any of that darkness, you've shined through. Everyone has some, but the kind clung to you was trying everything in its power to keep me at bay."

"But I will not give up on you. You deserved to hear the truth once and for all."

I'm grateful you didn't give up...

I feel the same for myself...

I don't know what else to say.

I can feel Her sadness

"I... Do not want another tragedy to occur. And I know that you feel the same. Even though she was a so-called "witch," not all are like her."

Through my confusion, I still started to understand slowly. I've never talked about these things before, but it all made sense.

Learning what a witch truly is, and can be.

The difference between black and white magick.

Witchcraft in itself.

...There is so much that is misunderstood in this world... And others.

I want to know more, when I can...

Sill, She answered my lifelong questions. Of why I look the way I do, and about the doll, about why she just now showed up like this... Everything. How do I even begin to thank Her... All of Them?

But I'm also scared.

If Séthyan is back...

I thought I'd be more prepared for this. But I'm truly terrified.

"It is alright to be so...

All that I desire from you, is for you to thrive, and find your truth. Continuing on your path to put an end to Séthyan, and others like her. And let everyone be at rest from their wrath...

I continuously see your potential growing, and I could not be prouder...

But please, watch out, and try to be careful despite any urgency you may feel...

It all is not your fault.

The blame has rested solely on Séthyan from the beginning, on this path.

Follow your instincts about the woods... Because the events taking place will get worse nearby...

The past is repeating itself. However, for every soul eater, there is a soul reaper to chase it."

...I remember the posters...

Wait... Soul reaper?

...I feel like I'm slipping away...

"And just like in the past, I will not leave your side.

You are strong. Even more so with your loved ones.

Please, try to remember what I've told you.

You are forever loved."

-----

I woke up.

Surprisingly, I wasn't drenched in sweat.

For a bit, I had a hint of doubt, before seeing, what I once thought was a normal plushie, change back to its normal colors again.

Then the weight of it all hit me.

But then, I remembered what Avis said to me, and it did help a lot...

I was still nervous, but first of all, I wanted to do my research.

I needed to know more.

So, after gathering my thoughts together as much as I possibly could right now, I got myself ready to go to the library.

Taiga still preferred going there, and making herself get out of the house more often in general these days. So she still hasn't gotten a computer yet, or even internet on her phone.

Some may think it's weird, but it made her content.

'Maybe it will help me achieve some peace of mind before I make any more plans moving forward.'